Trackless power-driven vehicle.



I. B. PALMER. TRAGKLESS POWER DRIVEN VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1908 939,077. v

Patented Nov. 2,1 909.

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I, E. PALMER. TRAOKLESS POWER DR gVEN VEHICLE.

APPLVIOATION FILED NOV.l3, 1908. v 939,07? Patented Nov. 2,1909.

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L E; PALMER. TRAGKLBSS POWER DRIVEN VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.1 3, 19.08.

Patented Nov. 2, 1 909.

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APPLICATION I'ILED NOW 13,1908:

939,077. Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

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ISAAC n. PALMER, or mrnnnnrown, CONNECTICUT.

. TRACKLESS POWER-DRIVEN VEHICLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1909.

Application filed November 13, 1908. Serial No. 462.362.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Isaac E; PALMER, a. citizen of the United States, and a resident of-Middletowu, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Trackless Power-Driven Vehicles, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings. is a specification, like numerals on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to trackless, power driven vehicles and has more particularly for its objects to provide a construction w hereby if desired the use of pneumatic tires may be avoided, to provide increased traction. to provide more extensive wheel support so as to reduce the weight upon the individual wheels, and to provide improved wheel deflecting mechanism.

In order that the principles of the invention may be clearly understood, I have disclosed certain types or embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of the rear portion of an automobile having one form of my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 1 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, but showing a slightly modified form of my invention; Figs. 5 and (3 and Figs. 7 and S are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, but showing-further forms of my invention; Fig. 9 is a plan view upon an enlarged scale of an automobile embodying my invention and showing more clearly the clutches for the deflectable wheels and operating means therefor; Fig. 10 is a central, vertical section taken through the hub section of one of the deflectable wheels; Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section of the construction shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing a different form of transmitting mechanism between the hub section of a deflectable wheel and the wheel proper; Fig. 13 is a detail of one of the clutching members shown in Fig. 12-; and Fig. 1% is a vertical section of the construction shown in Fig. 12.

The type of automobile selected for illustration is one having four rear power driven wheels and any suitable number of front wheels. My invention may, however, be embodied in other forms; The forward portion of the automobile may, if desired, be provided with two pairs of wheels supported in any suitable way.

' suitable manner thereto.

Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1. and 2, the body frame of the vehicle is represented at 1, it being of any suitable form and construction. Pref.- crably journaled in the rear portion thereof is a suitable driving member, herein represented as a divided axle 2 receiving power from any suitable source and having upon the ends of the driven member thereof sprocket wheels The body frame is provided with axles 4-, 5 connected in any In the present form of my invention, I have represented main side springs 6-6 connected at substantially mid-length to the body vehicle. To each end 'of each main spring is connected in any suitable manner a supplemental spring.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the left hand end ofeach spring 6 has pivoted thereto a supplemental spring 7, the inner end of which is pivotally connected, as by a link 8, to a bracket 9 depending from the body frame. the main spring 6 is pivotally connected as by a link 10 to one end of a supplemental spring 11, the opposite end of which is directly but pivotally connected to the bracket 9. The axles & and 5 are directly connected to and suported by the supplemental springs 7 7, 1111 in any desired manner. Upon said axles 4 and 5 are suitably mounted the two pairs of wheels 12-12 and 13 13, one pair of wheels, and in this form of the invention the wheels 1212, being mounted for lateral deflection in any suitable manner. as for example by the employment of two sets of interengaging teeth, suchas shown in my Patent No. 889,960, June 9, 1908, or by the employment of a rocking ring, such as shown in my application Serial No. 148,129, filed August. 12, 1908. The wheels 19. and 12 are positively deflected in any suitable manner, as by connecting them by levers l414 and steering rods Iii-15 with the steering mechanism for the front wheels. J

As will be more fully described hereinafter, the deflect-able wheels are preferably provided with means permitting them to travel when deflected at a speed differing from that of the other pair of driven wheels.

Asherein shown, the wheels l3l3 are directly driven from the axle 2 by means'of sprocket chains 16-16 mounted upon the sprocket gears 33 upon the axle 2 and the The opposite or right hand end of sprocket gears upon the wheels 1313.]

are provided with suitable connections to the steering mechanism, thereby positively to deflect: them when desired.

In Figs. 5 and 6,the non-deflectable wheels 23-23 are mounted upon the driving axle 2 and the deflectable wheels 24L2-iare driven directly therefrom by the sprocket chains 2525, the said wheels'242a being connected to the steering mechanism'in any suitably manner.

The construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 differs from that shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in that the deflectable wheels 2( 326' are arranged to the rear of the non-deflectable wheels 27-.27 which are mounted upon the driving axle 2. The wheels- 2626 are driven directly from the wheels 27-27 by means of the sprocket chains 2828. The said wheels 26-26 are connected to the steering mechanism in any suitable manner.

The spring support for the wheels in the forms of my invention shown in Figs-3 to 8 inclusive is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but any other suitable form of spring support may be employed.

It will be observed that in th-e'several types of my invention herein illustrated, the deflectable wheels are driven directly from the non-deflectable wheels and at the same surface speed. When the pivotally mounted wheels are deflected so as to travel upon a curve they travel at an increased speed by reason of the fact that their are of movement is longer than the line upon,

which the non-deflectable wheels travel in the same length of time. While I may, in certain types of my invention, employ mechanism positively to drive the wheels when deflected at a diflerentand preferably a greater rate of speed than that at which they travel when non-deflectable, preferably I provide suitable means for disconnecting the wheels when deflected from the driving shaft, thus permitting them when deflectedto travel idly at an increased rate of speed. It is apparent that this result may be accomplished in various ways. Preferably I employ mechanism connected will and operated by the steering mechanism so as to disconnect the deflectable wheels from the driving mechanism upon deflection thereof.

In Fig. 9, I have represented upon an enlarged scale and more specifically one form of means for deflecting one of the pairs of wheels from the steering mechanism. Although in Fig. 9 I have represented the arrangement of wheels and driving connections shown in Figs, 7 and 8, it is to be understood'that the deflectlng means shown in said Fig. 9 may beemploye'd in connection with any of thearrangements of wheels and driving means therefor shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, said Fig. 7 being selected merelv as a single embodiment for purposes of illustration. In said Fig. 9, each of said wheels 26-26 is pivotally' mounted upon an axle 29 in any suitable manner, as by means of a vertical pintle 30 (see Fig. 12) fast in extensions 3131 from the axle.

Surrounding the pintle is a sleeve 32 from which extends an arm 33, said arms 33 being connected by a cross link 34:, to which are connected cords or chains 36--36 suitably connected to the steering mechanism. It will be apparent that when pull is imparted to 'either cord or chain 36, the wheels 26-26, are laterally deflected in the same direction. From each sleeve 32 extends an axle spindle 37. The extensions 31-31 wherein the pintle 30 is mounted have fast thereon a bearing ring 38 upon which is mounted for free rotation a hub section 39, ball or other friction reducing bearings 40 being interposed if desired between the bearing ring and hub section. The hub section 39 is provided with, a suitable number of circumferentially arranged teeth 41 with which engages a series of ,teeth 42 extend- I ing from the traction part of the wheel, the construction beingsuch as to permit relative or in and out movement of the teeth 41 42 upon deflecting movement of the wheel. Loose upon each hub section is a sprocket gear 43 connected by the sprocket chain 28 previously described with the corresponding sprocket gear upon the wheel 27.

I interpose suitable mechanism between the sprocket gear 43 and the hub section 39, whereby the wheels 2626 are positively driven when traveling in a straight path,

but permitting them to travel idly, but at an increased speed with respect to the wheels 27-27 when upon a curved path. While any suitable mechanism may be employedfor the purpose, I have herein represented a clutch composed of a suitable number of annularly arranged wedge sections 44 mounted upon a ring 45 and adapted to be moved into such frictional engagement with the sprocket gear 43 and hub section 39 as to effect the driving of the latter from the former.

Each ring 45 maybe shifted laterally in any suitable manner to render the clutch effective or non-effective. Preferably, how- 1 ever, the operating means is connected to the 139 steering mechanism so that. upon. operation of the steering mechanism to deflect the wheels 26-26 in a curved path, they are disconnected from the driving mechanism.

I For this purpose, I have in Fig. 9 shown levers t6--l6 suitably pivoted upon brackets extending from the body frame 1 and suitably connected by links 4747 to an eye piece 48 receiving in holes therein said links 47-47 and also 'a link 49 pivotally connected at its opposite end to the cross bar 3t. Normally or when the clutches are in operating position, the link 49 occupies the position shown in Fig. 9, being parallel with the sides of the body frame. It will be apparent that upon movement of the cross bar 34 in either direction the forward end of the link 4!) is moved to the right or to the left, and that the link is moved bodily forward, moving with it the eye piece 48 and the links 47-47, which are moved inwardly toward each other sufficiently to disengage the clutches. \Vhen the link 49 is restored to its central portion indicated in I ig. t), the eye piece f8 and links 47 are restored to their position there shown and the clutches" a're again engaged. I

Instead of employing a clutch or other transmitting mechanism intermediate the hub section and the sprocket or other driving gear, that is operated by the steering mechanism, I may employ transmitting or clutch mechanism automatically rendered etfective, but permittingran increase of speed of the deflected wheels when traveling in a curve. One form of such construction is indicated in Figs. 10 and 11. in said figures, the hub section 50 is represented as having bolted thereto a ring 51 upon which and said hub section is loosely mounted the sprocket gear 52. interiorly provided with an annular series of ratchet teeth 58. l ivotally mounted upon the hub section 50 and ring 5.1 ill a suitable number'of pawls 5dspring pressed if desired into driving engagement with the ratchet teeth. Centrifugal action alone may be relied upon to throw the pawls into driving relation with the ratchet teeth, but if desired such action may be supplemented by the springs 55.

Viewing Figs. 10 and ll. it will be apparent that the ratchet teeth 53 are carried by the driving member. herein the sprocket wheel 52. \l'hcn the vehicle wheels arc traveling in a straight path, the driven member or hub section 50 carrying the pawls fit is driven by and at the same speed as the driving member or sprocket gear 52. When. however. the vehicle wheels are deflected by the steering mechanism so as to travel in a urved path the normally driven member or hub section 5 may travel at a speed greater than that of the driving member .32, as the ,pawls .il ina v advance upon the ratchet driven vehicles comprising in combination a body frame, a driving shaft journaled in said frame, four vehicle wheels mounted upon the rear part of said body frame, connections from the driving shaft for driving all of said four rear wheels, said four Wheels being arranged in pairs and one of said pairs .of wheels being dirigible, and means simultaneously and automaticall to disconnect said pair of dirigible Wheels from driving relation to said driving shaft upon lateral deflection thereof bythe steering mechanism while leaving the other pair of rear wheels in driving relation to said driving shaft, so that said dirigible wheels may travel when disconnected at a differential-speed with respect to said other pair of rear wheels and the vehicle be driven by said other pair of rear wheels.

2. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles comprising in combination a body frame, a driving shaft journaled in said frame, four vehicle wheels mounted upon the rear part of said body frame, connections from the driving shaft for driving allof said four rear wheels, said four wheels being arranged in pairs and at least one of said pairs of wheels being dirigible, and means operated by the steering mechanism to disconnect at the same time, both wheels of said pair of said dirigible wheels from driving relation to the driving shaft upon lateral deflection of the vehicle, while leaving the other pair of rear wheels in driving lOO relation to said driving shaft whereby said dirigible wheels may travel when disconnected'at a differential speed with respect to the other rear wheels and the vehicle be driven by said other pair of rear wheels.

3. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles comprising in combination a body frame, a driving shaft journaled in said frame, four vehicle wheels mounted upon the rear part of said body frame, connections from the driving shaft for driving both pairs of rilit'l rear wheels, a driven pair of said rear wheels being dirigible, and means operatively connected to the steering mechanism to disconnect both of said dirigible wheels from driving relation to the driv ing shaft upor. lateral deflection of the vehicle in either direction, while leaving the other pair of rcar wheels in driving relation to said driving shaft, whereby the vehicle may be driven by said other pair of rear wheels.

t. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles, comprising in combination a body frame, a driven shaft journaled in said frame, four vehicle wheels mounted upon the rear part of said body frame, connections from the driving shaft for driving all of said four rear wheels, said wheels being arranged in pairs and at least one of said pairs of wheels being dirigible, clutches connected to said dirigible Wheels and means operatively connected to the steering mechanism 4 simultaneously to disconnect said clutches upon lateral deflection of the vehicle while leavin the other pair of rear wheels in driv-t ing re ation to saiddriving'shaft, whereby the vehicle is driven by said other pair of rear wheels; Y 5. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles comprising in combination a body frame, a driving shaft .journaled in said frame, a pairjof drivendirigible and another air of driven rear vehic e wheels connected to said shaft, and means opera;

tively conn'ectedJzo the steering mechanism and to sald dirigible wheels, and adapted simultaneously to disconnect both of said dirigible wheels from driving relation to said -driving shaft upon lateral deflection of driving the vehicle while leavin the other air of rear wheels in driving re ation to sai driving shaft, wherebythe vehicle is driven by said other pair of rear wheels.

'6. Running gear for trackless, power driven vehicles comprising in combination a body frame, said frame, a pair ofdriven dirigible and another pair of driven rear vehicle wheels a driving shaft journaled in connected to said shaft, and means operatively connected to the steering mechanism and to said. dirigible wheels, and adapted to disconnect both of said dirigible wheels from relation to said driving shaft upon lateral deflection of the vehicle in' either direction,,while leaving the other pair of rear wheels in driving relation to said driving shaft, whereby the vehicle may be driven by said other pair of rear wheels. 1'

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification,-in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED; E. FOWLER, REUBEN MYRON BURR. 

